Wall construction



pril 9, 1946. K. w. BENHAM WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 18, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToR. Kani Wfn/mm April 9 MS.

K. w. BENHAM WALL CONSTRUCTION v vFiled sept. 18, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet ,mima Y April 9, 1946.

K. w. BENHAM x WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 18, 1943 [rl/11111111111 l.

Il! E April 9, 1946. K. w. BENI-IAM WALL l CONSTRUCTION Filed sept. 18, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet `5 'mM/Maz;

Patented Apr. 9, 1946 C* UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WALL CONSTRUCTION Kent W. Benham, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, as-

sgnor to The Sanymetal Products Co., Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 18, 1943, Serial No. 502,861 (C1. 1s9-34l 1s claims.

This invention relates to wall construction, and more particularly to a construction formed from a series of interlocking sheet metal panels and associated securing devices and supports therefor, which may be assembled to form partitions, railings, wainscoting, wall sheathing and enclosures of various sorts.

In accordance with this invention, the4 wall construction is formed from a series of sheet metal panels having interlocking flanges extending along the side edges thereof. The wall forming surfaces of the panels may be arranged in substantially flush alignment with the side edges of the panels closely abutting to provide neat and attractive seams. The flanges of alternate panels are provided with rebent portions forming female `sockets into which the flanges of the adjacent intermediate panels may extend.

The panels may be mounted on, supported by and removably secured to spaced rack members which extend generally atv right angles totheq panel flanges, and ends of the rack members being suitably secured in suitable framing. A series of locking bars are slidably mounted, lon

each rack memberl by means of suitable 'clips which may be formed to embrace the flanges as- Each locking sociated with the rack member. bar is designed to extend between the flanges of alternate panels with the ends of the securing bar suitably shaped to releasably grip the flanges and thus firmly retaining the alternate panel firmly secured to the rack member. The intermediate panel is held in position by the interlocking connection between its flanges and the socket flanges associated with the adjacent alternate` panels can be moved along the rack members in a manner similar to sliding doors, until the alternate panels are properly spaced to receive the intermediate panels therebetween. The intermediate panels may then be applied by forcing their flanges into the socket forming flanges of the alternate panels which serve to firmly secure the intermediate panels in fixed wall forming position. This improved wall construction can thus be quickly erected and assembled in any desired locations' Insulating material may be secured and attached to the inside faces of the alternate and intermediate panels between the flanges thereof, so as to provide a wall construction which is substantially soundproof.

In assembling a partition or railing it will be appreciated that the rack members may be so formed as to receive panels on both sides thereof. The rack members'may be secured at their ends to uprights suitable secured to the building floor.v These uprights may also be secured to the ceiling in the event a ceiling height partition is to be constructed, or a suitable cornice may be provided extending along the top of the partition` and to which the uprights are secured. Leveling means may be provided along the bottom of the partition for leveling the same and base boards or mop strips may be removably secured along the bottom of the partition and along each side thereof to give the partition a finished appearance.

In wainscoting, sheathing or lining enclosures of Various'sorts, the rack members may be secured in any desired manner to the vertical walls or ceiling of the enclosure. The alternate panels are held to the rack members by the sliding lock- 'ing bars and the intermediate panels are held in position by the cooperating interlocking flanges with which the intermediate and alternate panels are provided. v

The alternate and intermediate panels may be quickly formed and manufactured at the plant from the selected sheet metal by a few simple and quickly A,executed flange forming operations performed on a press or drawbench. The panels may be formed in almost any desired width or length. Insulating material may be quickly applied between the preformed flanges of the panels. The rack members may be formed from a pair of sheet metal channels secured together backto-back to form a rack vmember of H-shaped cross-section. These H-shaped rackv members may be carried in stock and cut when needed to any desired length. The locking bars likewise may be quickly and economically formed from a strip of sheet metal bent to provide a bar having a right-angled cross-section. Spaced metal clips may be welded to'one leg of the locking bar at spaced intervals. The locking bars with the spaced clips welded thereto may be formed in any desired length and carried in stock to be later cut into such lengths as to fit between the flanges of the alternate panels. Each clip may comprise simplyy av blank of sheet metal whose ends may bebent around the flanges or rails of the rack member. The main parts of thewall construction assembly, such as the panels, rack members and securing bars, are so shaped and formed as to permit rapid and economical fabrication, assembly andstacking for shipment or storage.

The wall construction may be quickly assembled and erected in the field to accommodate almost any eld conditions. The space enclosed byy the panels is readily accessible for the Stringing or repair of wiring and conduits since all the in- -termediate panels can be quickly pulled out of position and, if necessary, the alternate panels can then' be slid along the supporting rack members. There is also substantial flexibility between the individual panels and between the panels and the rack members which makes this improved wall construction especially desirable for partitioning, wainscoting or sheathing ships, boats, barges, boxcars, trucks and other land vehicles, aswell as cargo planes and air transports.

The `assembled panels and associated securing devices and supports constructed in accordance with this invention may be assembled to provide partitions, railings, wainscoting, and wall sheathing forming smooth, nished and attractive wall surfaces closely intertting tol provide only hairline. seams. Wall structures formed from the assembled panels are adapted to receive any trim or ornamentation desired such, as ornamental baseboards, cornices and nishing strips, may befuliy insulated against heat, cold and sound, are economical to fabricate, erect and assemble, may be shaped to vario-us architectural forms, are sturdy and strong in construction, lasting in appearance, and possess the desired flexibility between panels and panel supports which makes a particularly desirable wall construction for either movable or stationary enclosures.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparentv asr the disclosure pro- Coeds. Y

Although the novel features which are, believed to be characteristic of thisv invention .willl be. particularly pointed out inthe claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects. and advantages and themanner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingl drawings forming a part hereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational View showing the improved, sheet metal panel assembly held in position by associated securing devices and supports to provide e. partition;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view through the partition as itV appears when viewed' along line 2 2 of Fig. l

Fig. 3. is an enlarged elevational view-of the partition withr certain parts broken away to illustratev structural details;

Fig, e is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view of the partition as it appears when viewed along line Ll-II of Fig. 3;

Fg- 5.l is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a section of the assembled partition with parts broken away to illustrate further details thereof Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary andl horizontal cross-.sectional view of the partition showing at aT intersection; f

Fig., 7 is an enlarged fragmentary and horizontal cross-.sectional view of the partition Showing structural details thereof atv an angular bend;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary and horizontal crosssectional View through the partition wall and door frame as the same appears when viewed along line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the improved panels assembled to provide a wall sheathing, wainscoting or wall lining;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical'cross-sectional view through the panel sheathed wall as the same appears when viewed along lineA lil-I9 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary and horizontal cross-sectional View through the panel sheathed wall as it appears when viewed along line I I-I I of Fig. 10;

` Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional View through the panel sheathed wall as it would appear at an angular bend; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view showing the partition joined toa panel sheathed wall,

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts. through the several views of the drawings and the. specication.

The intermediate or male panels a and the alternate or female panels b form the basis of my improved wall construction from which metal partitions,` as illustrated in Figs. l to 8, inclusive, may be formed and assembled or from which wainscoti'ng, sheathing or wallv linings may be formed and assembled as illustrated in Figs. 9 to I3, inclusive. The structuraliormation of the male and female panels whereby .the panels may lbe accurately andr neatly arranged and aligned and securely interlocked. together in wall forming relationship,'forms an important feature of this invention.

Referring for convenience to Figs. i andl 5, the male panel a is formed from a single blank of sheet metal of the desired Ygauge and is shaped to provide a facing section I and a ange 2 at each side edge thereof. Each flange 2 is grooved to present an inbent bead 2.'. The bead 2, is joined to the edge of the facingV section l by a base portion 2. and the free'. edge ofthe flange terminates in a relatively straight free edge portion 23'". Flanges 2 may be shaped by bending operations quickly performed either on aV drawbench or a rnetal bending press. The male panel when thus formed is channel-shapedv in trans verse cross-section with the flanges thereof presenting inbent beads'extending longitudinally of each flange. midway between the side. edges there-of.. The inbent beads 2 provide the means for locking the male panel to the adjacent anged edges of the female panels.

Each. female panel presents a wall facing section I having a main flange 3. extending from each side edge substantially at right angles to the facing section I. Each of the flanges 3 is also provided with an inbent bead 3 extending longitudinally of each flange midway between the side edges thereof. Each bead 3 is joined to the adjacent side edge of theV facing section I by a relatively straight base portion 3". At the opposite side. of the bead 3. is a relatively7 straight end portion 3" which merges into aroundedledge portion 4.. The. edge portion Il,v merges into a rebent ange 5 which extends vsubstantially parallelto the adjacent main flange 3. The rebent flange 5 is provided with an outwardly bent bead'l extending longitudinally thereof and positioned substantially opposite to the. inbent bead 3 of the associated iiange 3; The. outbent bead 5' is joined' to theY rounded edgev portion ll by a straight portion 5"' and the rebent flange terminates in an outwardly rounded edge portion Thus it will be noted that each main flange 3 and its associated rebent flange 5 joined by the rounded edge portion 4 form a socket 5 which is of such depth as to snugly receive the flange 2 of the adjacent male panel a.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the inbent bead 2 associated with the flange 2 of the male panel a is shapedvto snugly pocket in the groove formed by the outbent bead 5 of the rebent flange 5 of the female panel b. The rebent flange 5 associated with the female panel thus provides in effect a spring clip which serves to grip the flange 2 and hold the same firmly in the pocket 6 of the female panel b. The pocket B is of such depth that when the ange 5 of the male panel has been fully inserted therein, the surface section I of the male panel a will lie flush with the .surface section I of the female panel b with the base portion 2" of the male flange 2 in snug and tight abutment against the baseportion 3'. of

Athe female flange 3. Thus a smooth and hairline joint between the surface sections I of the male and female panels is provided. Insulation boards or other suitable sound deadeningmaterial 'I may be secured to the inside surfaces of l the male Iand female panels between the side* vide surface sections ranging in width from a f relatively few inches to fifty -inches or more,

ing from two feet to five feet in cases where the panels are to be assembled to form railings or wainscoting, to six or more feet in length where the panels are to. be assembled to form partitions or Vertical wall or ceiling paneling or sheathing.

The Aalternate or female panels b are rigidly secured in wall forming relationship by a series of spaced locking bars c which extend between the main flanges 3 thereof. As shown, for example, in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, each locking bar c may be formed ofsheet metal of angle-shaped crosssection having, when mounted, a flange engaging leg 8 and a clip attaching leg 9. The end of each flange engaging leg 8 has a pocket forming curvature I0 which closely conforms to the inner surface curvature of the main flange 3 of the female panel. The length of the horizontal leg 8 also closely conforms to the inside distance between the main flanges 3 of the female panel b.

When the leg 9 is suitably attached to a wall framework or supporting structure, the main flanges 3 of the female panel may be sprung or forced over the ends of the flange engaging leg 8 and when fully telescoped thereover the inbent bead portions 3 of the female flanges 3 will snap into the shaped pockets ID at each end of the ange engaging leg IlA of the locking bar c, so that the female panel will thus be securely attached to the locking bar. Each corner II of the locking bar c will then also snugly abut' the vbase portion 3" of the flange 3 ofthe female .panel b so as to resist removal or withdrawal ydi) depending upon the decorative e'ect desired.' lThe panels may be made in any length, varyof the female panel from the locking bar c. It will be appreciated that when the female panels are thus secured and assembled, the male panels a may be telescoped between the female panels b and the rebent flanges 5 of the female panels will in turn serve to securely hold the male panels in assembled wall forming position. A plurality of these locking bars c suitably and conveniently spaced may be employed to secure the female panels of any desired lengthvto the wall area.

f The attaching leg 9 of each locking bar c may be secured to a wall area or to a framework provided for the purpose by any suitable means, such as screws or other holding elements. It is convenient, however, to mount the securing bars c in such a manner thatthey can be moved along the wall area as erection of the male and female panels progresses, so that the locking bars may be accurately located during erection to receive the female panels in proper position. I have provided for this purpose simple metal clips d which 4may be conveniently spaced and attached as by welding to the attaching leg'9of the locking bar c. As illustrated in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, for example, each clip d may comprise a base portion I2 which is welded to the attaching leg 9 of the locking bar c, the base portion being provided with a rebent flange I3 at each end thereof, each forming a pocket I4. The pockets I4 of each clip are shaped to receive therebetween a rail element forming a part of a fixed' rack member e which forms a part of the structural framework on which the panels are supported.

The rack members e are' arranged to extend at right angles to the panel flanges and may be suitably spaced to provide adequate support for the male and female panels. Where a seven-foot partition, a ceiling high partition, or a full height wall is to be sheathed with my improved panels, three or more rack-members should be employed, preferably spaced from two to four feet apart. Each rack member e may be formed from a pair of sheet metal channels arranged in back-to- 4baci: relationship, as illustrated, for example, in Figs. 2 and 3. Each of the paired channels cornprises a base portion I5 and side flanges I6. The base portions I5 of the paired channels are welded together to provide a rack member of generally H-shaped cross-section.

. These H-shaped rack members e provide highly convenient rail framesto which the clips d may be attached. It will be noted by referring more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3 that the legs I6 of each rack member are arranged to snugly seat Awithin the opposite pockets I4 of the clips d, and

`tight'gripping engagement with the rail forming vlegs I 6 of the rack member e when the locking bar c has been properly located to receive the female panel b. Preferably, however, the paired rail forming legs I6 are provided with ,paired notches I6' as shown in Fig. 5, of sulcient size to receive the end portions I3 of the clip d so that the pre- 'Vformed end portions I3 may be inserted through the paired notches I 6 and slid laterally along the rail' forming legs I6. `The second clip, associated with the locking bar c, may likewise b'e lin- 'serted through the same paired notches so that only one pair oi notches need loe-provided inthe pai-red legs. t6. The lhcking har cand; associated clips-4 d-L may then be. horizontallyadiusted. to the location of the female panel. to be applied.

In event the improved; panels are to be. asi- Asemlcle tc form. a mated partition or railing, it is desirable to secure the. rack members, to vertical uprights which may he.I ach'ustablyv secured tothe building floor at .their lower ends. and may Ahe secured at their upper ends: to a. handv rail orto a ceiling. There is shown for purpose of illustratien in Figs.. 1 tof? inclusive. a partition. assembly, in which the rack; members c: are secured at each end thereof to a vertical-- upright of channel.- shaped; construction, astillustrated more particu- 1211215@ in Figs. 2;. '3'. .4: and 5.. The vertical upright f mayv comprise a base portion. 20 joined to a pairv of spaced flange portions 2l each having a rebcnt shoulder' portion 22. and an outturned edge portion 2:3. The outturned. edge portions 23 are spaced. apart asuicientdistance to snugly receive the rail forminganges orl legs I6..- ofv the rack members c. The adjacenty endof each rac-lr membere may be secured tothe outturned-edge portion- L31 of the vertical upright by yWeldingor by other securing means. For convenience. in. shipping. and erection.. the ends or. the rack. members e may be secured tothe outturned edge portions 23 by means of screw bolts 2.4;.. as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 4..

The` lower ends. of the. panels may be conveniently supported inasheet metal tray of generally channel-shaped cross-section as il-lusinatedl in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, whose ends may be adjustably and removably secured. to the spaced uprights f. Each tray y may comprise a bottom wall 25 and spaced upwardly extending flanges 25. Each of the anges 276 of the trays g is.: flared outwardly at the upper end 21 thereof toprovide means for removably securing an. adjacent baseboard h thereto. Thebottomv wall 215. ofthe tray i's of such width as to snugly receive the lower ends of the panels at each side of the partition and' provides a rmf supporttherefor.

To permit knockdown shipment ofthe partition framework it desirableY to provide means for permitting adjustable attachment of the tray gto the vertical uprights. fY in the eld. For this purpose a pair of angle-shaped clips 28` may be secured to each end' of the tray gvr suitablyy spaced to permit the outturned edge portions 23 of the upright toextend; therebetween. The bottom wall 25 of each tray is notched out at each end' thereof topermit the outturned edge portions 23 of the upright tol extendinto the notch and to permit Y tion by tiglfitening thejscrews 3l'. Thus the tray g provides means for' supporting the lowerv ends of the panels in level alignment.

' Any suitable means may be provided for securing the uprights f to the building floor, such as lag screws, bolts, brackets or othery convenient means knownv to the art. Where a 'ceilingI high Y partition is to be erected. suitable leveling` means may be provided which also serves to. firmly press the upper end of the upright against the ceiling.

4l- Y :asoman There is. shown. in 2, 3 and 5 for-purpose off illustration, aheavyf bolt 3.5,. the, shank.: of which extends into the upright and. through. aligned holes in the horizontal leg; of a. pair of angle,- shaped brackets 3:6: and 3J, the vertical legs. being welded to the; base wall 2d ofthe upright. The head. 38 of the bolt 35` may seat within a. receivingv channel di) which. is. secured to the floor' n directly under the partition run. The. threaded shank portion off the bolt.. 35 carries: an. adjusting nut 4.7i upon which. the lower angle bracket 3,1' may seat. By manipulating the nut 4 Il. the. lower end of the. vertical uprightff` may' be: raised tothe desired elevation. A locking nut 4:2 may be provided to hold; thenut 4I in. adju'sted position. The upper end of. each uprghtf may be providedjwith an angle bracket 43- one leg of' which is; attached to the base: wall #il of the. upright. A lag; screw .5 extendingthrough.v the horizontal: leg of the bracket 43 may be provided. for securing the upright to the ceiling; a. It will be.- appreciated that other means.. may be provided for: securing. the vertical upright;v to. the floorl and the. ceiling and to provide for vertical adjustment of the. upright. it will alsov be appreciated that the upright. fY may extendY short of the ceiling be capped by a suitable continuous cornice, asis well known in the art. l

The. space between the bottom wall 25 of the tray g and the floor o provides a. convenient; passageway for Wiring and, conduits.. The space between the. tray4 g is concealed bythe baseboards h which have a facing portion: 45 the lower end of which rests against the iloor andi the upper end. of which overlaps. the outbent. upper portion 2l of the tray anges 26.-. The upper end of each of the baseboards It.y may be. provided with a rebent flange portion 1&6.7 which may be forced between the outwardly :dared portion Z1. ofl the anges 26 and the facing sections l; of the; panels. A trim strip 4B may extend along the upper end of the partition panels, along each side. ofthe partition, and abut against the. ceiling a to. give the partition a finished appearance. The trim strip 45- may be secured tothe panels by screws il?, clips, or by anyr other: convenient means;

. Where a` considerable run. of partition is to lbe erected,necessitating the use of more than two vertical uprights f, vthe intermediate uprights between the ends or the partition run may 'be arranged in back-to-back relationship as: illustrated in Fig; 6, which maybe secured together by spaced bolts d8 and held in spaced'relationship by spacer plates 49'. The uprights are concealed bythe facing section l' of the. panel which extends thereover. A'T-run or the partition is provided by placing thebasevvall 2l); of theupright f. initiating the branch run againstl the facing section I of the panel and securing the same to the adjacent uprights by means of suitable metal screws 4T', as shown in Fig; 6. All angle-shaped trim strip 48' may be positioned at corners suit- Vably secured in position by4 screws 494 to give the partition a finished appearance.

Where a right-angled run of the partition is desired, as shown in Figi. 7, a. male corner panel a.' may be provided whose. facing` section i is given a rounded curvature. to extend-around the outer corner. The. adjacent uprights; f are positioned as shown in Fig. 'Il and are. connected together by aplu-ralityof spaced connecting plates .i having dogs 5D whichextend into bayonet slots 5|. provided in the base wall 2B: or the adjacent uprights. The connecting plates serve to: rigidly connect the adjacent uprights f in fixed position.

assaggi` The inside corner may becovered'by a male corner panel a" shaped as shown in Fig. 7. The inside corner of the angular: partition may be given a finished appearance by the use of an angle-shaped trim strip 48'.` y

Where the partition is to be provided with a door R, the door frame 1c may be secured to the adjacent uprights f of the', partition as shown in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 8, the door frame may comprise a sheet metal door buck 52.which embraces a relatively heavy vertically extending stiffening channel 53. The flange lips 56 of the sheet metal door buck 52 seat against the base wall 54 of the stiifening channel 53 and are suitably weldedthereto. Each flange lip B is so shaped as to interfit with the flange 2 of the adjacent male panel a. The adjacent vertical upright and the stiffening channel 53 may be positioned in back-to-back relationship. A securing bolt 51 having a head 59 extends through the base wall 20 of the upright f and is threaded into a nut 58 welded to the base wall 54 of the reinforcing channel 53. Upon manipulation of the base bolt 5l the upright f may be drawn to and firmly secured to the door frame member k, the door frame lc and upright being held in the proper spaced relation by spacer plates 49. As thus constructed, the outside exposed faces 52 of the door buck 52 may be made substantially flush with the facing section I of the adjacent panels with only a ne seamline joint therebetween.

It will be appreciated that the partition wall may be made of any thickness desired. The male or female panels may be y.provided with flanges of the same convenient depth for all partitions. The thickness of the partition wall may be varied as desired by merely selecting rack members having their flangesl I6 properly spaced and selecting tray members g having their flanges 26 properly spaced.

Fig. 9 illustrates my improved panel assembly arranged to provide a wainscoting, sheathing or lining Wall, as for example the interior finished wall for a ship. It is understood, however, that my improved panel assembly may be used to wainscot or sheath or finish any desired base wall. As shown more particularly in Figs. 10 and 11, the rack members e may be attached in any 'desired manner to the base wall,'for example, to wood or metal studding :c extending from the outer wall w. The rack members e may be attached to the studs c or base wall as by screws, welding or any othersuitable fastening means. The lower ends `of the male and female panels may rest upon a bed frame o, which may comprise a channel-shaped sheetv metal member having a base wall 6I and flanges 52 provided with bent lips 63 which may be welded `or otherwise secured to the studding The bed member o may rest upon 4the rough floor o or the finished floor '0. The female panels'bareheld in position by means ofthe locking bars c having the clips dv secured thereto, kwhich slide uponA the rail flanges I6 of the rack members e, in the manner heretoforedescribed.` The male -panels are held in positiony by thefemale panels in the' same manneras heretofore described. The wainscoting or sheathingwall maybe provided with a base finishing strip 65-which ymay be` suitably secured to the bed frame member o as by screws 65; A' flnishingstrip'l may also extend along the top of the panels and may be secured in position by screws or'bolts Ii8. v A

shown in 10,'my' improved Vpanels may also be assembled to provide ailnished ceiling for the room, in which event the flanges I8 of the rack members e are secured to the base ceiling wall z which may also comprise studding. The female panels are hung fromA the rack members e by the 4provision of the locking bars c slidably secured to the rack members e by the clips d. The 'male panels a are held in position bythe flanges associated with the heretofore described.

Where the finished wainscoting wall is to extend around a corner, the meeting ends of the rack members c may be further supported by a suitable upright f welded or otherwise secured to the rackmembers e, as shown in Fig. 12. 'Ihe female panels ,b are held in position by the locking members cheretofore described, and the male corner panel' a( may be smoothly bent to extend around the outside cor,

ner with the flanges 2 thereof interlocking with the rebent flanges 5 of the adjacent female panels.

As shown invFig. 13, a partition wall assembled from my' improved panels' may b-e run laterally from a wainscoting wallat any point desired. Since the vertical upright j of the partition wall is fixed at both ends thereof, the upright j may be placed directly in abutment with the outside surface of either thev male or female panel forming a part of `the wainscoting or sheathing wall. Angle-shaped finishing strips 48 may be provided to cover the intermediate joints.

My improved -sheet metal interlocking panels with associated supports 'and 'securing devicesv annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

. 1. In a wall construction, a sheet metal panel havingsocket formations extending along the sideedges thereof, an adjacent panel having a ange adapted to interlock with the socket formation of said first Vnamed panel, and means for supporting said panel in wall forming position including a locking member' extending between and releasably engaging the socket formations of said first named panel.

2. In a wall construction, a plurality lof sheet metal panels having wall surface sections `vadapted to be arranged in wall forming position, socket formations extending along the sideV edges of alternaterpanels, flanges extending along the side edges of intermediate panels adapted tointerIock with the socket formation of an adjacent alternate panel, and means for supporting said panels in wall forming position including a frame member, locking bars supported bysa'id frame member and extending between the socket formations of said alternate panels,` and means associated with the ends of each of said locking bars adapted kto releasably engage lthe socket formations of the adjacent alternate panel.

3. Ina wall construction,a sheet metal panel having socket forming flange portions extending female panels b as.

or sheathing.

amount of many along opposite side edges thereof, a locking member extending between and adapted to engage said flange portions to retain said panel in Wall forming position, and a sheet metal panel on each side of said rst named panelA adapted tok interlock with the adjacent socket forming flangeportion of said first named panel to retain'said last named panels in Wall forming position.`

4. In a Wall construction, sheetv Vmetal panels having Wallv forming sections providing a Wall surface, and interlocking flanges extending along the side edges of said panels, iixed rack members providing a frame structure for supporting said panels in position, and locking members slidably securedk to said rack members having means associated with the opposite ends thereof for releasably engaging the flanges of certain of said panels to .retain all of said panels. in Wall forming position. y

5. In a Wall construction, sheet metal panels having Wall forming sections arranged in generally aligned relationship to provide a substantially ilush and continuousy Wall surface, interlocking flanges extending along the side edges ofsaid panels, xed rack members providing a frame vstructure for supporting said panels in position,

and locking members slidably secured to `said rack members having means associated with the opposite thereofV for en'aging 'the flanges of certain of V.said 'panels'. and thereby retainy all of said panels in Wall forming position.

6; In a vWall Construction, sheet.L metal 'panels having Wall drngfs'et'o'n's' allfaligedin gefiel.- ally aligned relationship to provide a substantially flush andfcontinuo'us wall surface, vinterlocking anges extending along the side edges of said panels, xed rack members providing 'a 'frame structure for sslpportingy said panels in position, and. locking members slidably secured to said rack members, having means. 'associated with the opposite ends thereof for releasably engagingthe flanges of alternate panels tofthereby retain all of said panels in wall forming position. l

'7., In. a Wall construction, sheetfmetalpanelsv having wall forming sec tionsv arranged ingeneral-l ly aligned relationship to provide a substantially flush and continuousvv-all surface, interlocking flanges extending along the side edges of saidpanels. for locking said .panels together "in wall. forming, assembly, I'r'iefans for supporting theflower ends-of said panels, fixed rackmembers provid.'- ingaffram'e structure for retaining said'panels in walliorming position, and locking vmembers slid ably'secured to said rack members 'having means associated with the opposite endsthereof 'for releasably engaging thefflanges ofalternate panels to thereby retain all of lsai'c'lfpanels invvall .form-V ing position.. Y

. 8,. Ina Wall co'nstructiomy sheet metal -panels adapted'to be arranged in-l generally aligned irelationslipvto Vprovide ,ay substantially Hflush wall surface., .certain'o'fl said panels having .resilient socket forming. flange `portidns extending along opposite. 'sideedges thereof, other .panels having ilower ends o f said panels, and' means lfor retain# ing. said. .panels iny wall .forming position 'inelud-V ing a locking member extending betvveenandreleasably engaging the socketforming angejportionsgofeach ofsa'id first naine' l panels..

"e, rn a wan 'constfucucnfshee 'metal 'panels adapted to be arranged in generally aligned relationshipI to/provide aY substantially :flush wall surface, alternate Vpanels havingr resilient socket forming flange portions extending along opposite side edges thereof, intermediate panelshaving flange portions adapted toreleasably interlock with the socket forming' flange portions of adjacent alternate panels to retain said intermediate panels; in wall forming alignment with said alternate panels,V xed'rack members providing a frame struct-ure for supporting said panels in position, and lockingmembers slidably secured tov said rack members having means associated with the opposite ends thereof for releasably engaging the flange portions of alternate panels to thereby retain the alternate and intermediatekpanels in wall forming position.

10. In a Wall` construction, 'sheet metal panels having Wall forming sections providing a AWall surface and 'interlocking' flanges extending along the side edges of said panels to retain the wall forming sections of the panels in generally aligned `vvailforming relationship, a fixed rack memberl providing a frame structure for retaining said panels injposition locking members siid ably secured to said rack members having means associated with the opposite ends thereof for releasably engaging theiianges of certain Yof said panels to retain all of said panels in Wall forming position, and a channel shaped tray member extending along the bottom endspf sai-d panels forl receiving and furthersupporting said panels.

l1. In a 'wall construction, sheet "metal Wallforming `panels having interlocking' fwscsextending along lthe adjacent vedges thereof, and means for securing said panels in assembie'd Wallforming position,v said means including looking members extending between alternate panels, each of said locking members having means associated with the' opposite ends thereof for engaging theopposite iianges'of the adjacent' a1- ternate panel."

I2. In a Wallcorrstmctionjsheet metal panels having wall-forming. 'sections and interlocking an'ges' along the adjacent edges, thereof, and lockingv bars 4extending between the opposite flanges of certain of "said panels to retain said panels in. Wal-laforming position, each of V said locking bars having "means at the oppositejl-ind's thereof for relea'sedly gripping lthe opposite flanges of the adjacent panel.

13. In a 'wallconstructiom alternate and intermediate sheet, metal panels having. Wall-forming sections providing aV Wall surface, Vsaid alternate panels having socket-'forming flanges extending along the oppositee'd'geg thereof, Vlocking 'members for retaining 'said 'panels in ,Wall-formingA po sition, each f of said locking members extending between the r`opposite anges of' an adjacent altornate panel andlhaving'means at theopposite ends thereof for releasedly gripping'said flanges,v and flangesl extending (along the; opposite edges. of the intermediatepanels adapted 'to interlock with the socket-forminganges ofadiacent alf tornate panels' and retain said intermediate panels 'in'wall-formin'g position.. i

` i4. In 'a wan const-menuda meer metal :panel having a wall-.forming section bandi flange "por-V tions extending,` along the opposite. edgesthere.- of, and/a 'frame structurefor supporting said panel in positiomfsaid'frame "structure including Aa frame member extending substantially at right anglestqweaangepefsnsi@satana@116gihs. mentesiesigidingjsubsianialirStaffeleito said 4frame member and arranged to extend between the opposite ange portions of said panel, cooperating means associated with the opposite ends of said locking member and said flange portions for releasedly securing said panel member to said locking member, and clip elements for slidably connecting said locking member to said frame member.

15. In a wall construction, sheet metal panels having wall-forming sections providing a. wall surface and interlocking flanges extending along the adjacent; edges thereof, a supporting framework including rack members extending substantially at right angles to said interlocking flanges, locking members attached to said rack members, each of said locking members having means associated with the opposite ends thereof for releasedly engaging the opposite paired flanges of the adjacent panel.

16. In a wall construction, a panel unit including a pair of spaced channel shaped uprights having the anges thereof inturned and the base portions thereof forming the vertical ends of the panel unit, a sheet metal panel on each side of said uprights, a door frame including a channel shaped reenforcing member having the base portion thereof adjacent to the base portion of the adjacent panel upright, a generally channel shaped sheet metal door buck embracing the flanges of said channel shaped reenforcing member, spaced securing bolts connecting the base portion of the adjacent panel upright to the base portion of said channel shaped reenforcing member, each of said sheet metal panels having a flange extending between the base portion of said channel shaped reenforcing member and the base portion of the adjacent; panel upright, and means for releasedly gripping each of said panel flanges to releasedly retain the panel in wall-forming position.

17. In metal partition construction, spaced uprights, spaced rack members extending between and secured to said uprights, alternate andintermediate panels arranged along said rack members forming a wall surface, socket-forming anges extending along the opposite edgesl of each of said alternate panels, locking bars secured to and extending generally parallel to said rack members, each of said locking bars extending between the opposite flanges of an adjacent alternate panel, each of`said locking bars having means associated with the ends thereof for releasedly engaging the opposite-socket forming iianges of the adjacent alternate panel, and flanges extending along the opposite edges of said intermediate panels adapted to be frictionally retained by the socket-forming flanges of adjacent alternate panels.

18. In metal partition construction, spaced uprights, spaced rack members extending between and secured to said uprights, alternate and yintermediate panels arranged on both sides of said rack members forming a wall surface on each sidevthereof, socket-forming flanges extending along the opposite edges of said alternate panels, locking bars slidably secured to said rack members, each of said locking bars extending between the opposite anges of an adjacent alternate panel, each of said locking bars having means associated with the opposite ends thereof for releasedly engaging the opposite socket-forming lianges of the adjacent alternate panel, flanges extending along the opposite edges of said intermediate panels adapted to be frictionally retained by the socketforming flanges of the adjacent alternate panels, and a channel shaped tray member extending between and secured to said upright adapted to receive and support the lower ends of said panels on both sides of the partition.

KENT W. BENI-IAM. 

